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What the Parties Are Saying About Europe - Conference Season 2024
October 03, 2024
With conference season coming to an end, we thought it was high time to tell you all about European Movement UK’s activities over the last few weeks. We were at most of the major UK conferences, minus the Conservative conference and the (at time of writing) yet-to-happen Plaid Cymru Conference.
Following the recent General Election, it’s safe to say that this year’s party conferences had plenty of interesting debates, motions, policies, stories and fringe events.
But what about Europe? How often, and it what ways, did that come up at conferences? And what were European Movement UK and European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) doing to spread the pro-European message?
Here are the answers to those questions.
Labour Party Conference
At the celebratory, if rather rainy, conference of the new government, we spent our time networking with Labour contacts, from senior Ministers to ordinary party members from across the country. We also attended - and spoke up at - a dozen or more fringe meetings addressed by impressive panels of eminent politicians and experts.
The subjects of the fringe meetings that we hurried to under the downpours of rain included trade, climate change, defence, industrial strategy, health and the cultural sector. The curse of Brexit was a theme running through all of them – it has left few areas of our national life undamaged.
So even if the Prime Minister and other leading Labour figures preferred to avoid the subject in the main conference arena, the UK’s relationship with the EU was being discussed just about everywhere else.
EU Ambassador to the UK Pedro Serrano struck a very positive tone at the reception he hosted, flanked by Mr Thomas-Symonds and the Europe Minister Stephen Doughty, both of whom had warm words of their own. Nobody could be left in any doubt: trust is beginning to be re-established.
However, it is results that count. Everyone, from the EU delegation and experts on panels to a plethora of speakers from the floor, called for the government to negotiate a youth mobility deal with the EU.
Encouragingly, this call was firmly backed by Stella Creasy, Chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, who was a prominent and positive presence at the conference.
Scottish National Party (SNP) Conference
EMiS attended the SNP National Conference in Edinburgh from August 30th to September 1st. Against a challenging post-election landscape for the party, members came to together to plan the way forward for the party.
EMiS hosted an exhibition stall at the conference, engaging members in conversations on how the party can do more to champion Scotland's place in Europe, a subject which has always been core to the SNP's international affairs, especially following Brexit.
We held talk with various senior politicians, including Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, hearing the party leadership's positions on Europe and discussing the necessary steps to build an ever-closer relationship with the EU.
Importantly, we also left the SNP conference with many new EMiS members, ready to join us in the campaign to undo the damage of a botched Brexit and, in time, get the UK back into the EU once again.
[Credit: European Movement in Scotland]
Sir Keir Starmer Urged to Discuss EU Youth Mobility Scheme in Crucial Von Der Leyen Meeting
September 30, 2024
On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer will be having his first bilateral meeting with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
This is a huge moment for the development of UK-EU relations and will dictate the trajectory of ‘project reset’ that the new UK government is looking to deliver.
One area where we are likely to see progress and alignment being discussed is youth mobility. As reported by The Times, we know the EU is keen to open discussions with the UK about an agreement on youth mobility.
Now, two days ahead of Keir Starmer’s first proper meet with von der Leyen, The Guardian is reporting that “British universities are urging the government to find a way to restart the flow of EU students to Britain after Brexit, including a possible return to the Erasmus student exchange programme.”
“We really, really regret the fact that we have lost a flow of really good European students into the UK,” said Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, an advocacy organisation for universities in the United Kingdom.
European Movement UK believes it is promising to see the media giving attention to the matter of a new UK-EU youth mobility deal, one which could seriously boost the UK economy, and provide life-changing opportunities for young people.
“EU data for 2020 shows that 17,795 students came to the UK in 2018/2019, almost double the number of British students, 9,908, that went to the EU,” reports The Guardian.
“The previous year, 18,839 EU citizens came to British universities compared with 9,540 going to the EU.”
European Movement UK has been urging the UK government to reach a post-Brexit deal with the EU on youth mobility for some time, and for this deal to be negotiated as quickly as possible.
Last month, the European Movement welcomed the possibility of a new round of negotiations between the UK and the EU on a new youth mobility scheme.
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, said:
“A mutual youth mobility scheme is such an obvious good for all concerned that a YouGov poll in April found even Leave voters were 53% in favour vs 27% against.
“The public support for such youth opportunities is absolutely overwhelming and I am baffled as to why the government seem so heavy-hearted and timorous about such a win-win.
“We’re a European country - it’s exciting - let’s embrace it.”
European Movement UK and Young European Movement UK are calling on the UK government to open negotiations to re-enter the Erasmus+ programme, and for opposition political parties to pledge their support.
Sign the petition now to build the pressure on this vital issue.
(Header image: Shutterstock)
Sir Keir Starmer to set to negotiate on youth mobility scheme. European Movement UK
September 27, 2024
European Movement UK in The Independent, in a piece by Political Editor, David Maddox, on a new UK-EU youth mobility scheme.
[Image: Shutterstock]
“Harsh reality won’t go away just because they are too timid to mention it” - Sir Nick Harvey
September 26, 2024
Why no mention of EU at Labour Conference? Sir Nick Harvey and Dr Mike Galsworthy
September 24, 2024
European Movement UK in The Express, in a piece on Keir Starmer's speech at Labour Conference 2024.
[Image: Shutterstock]
Dr Mike Galsworthy on Brexit
September 18, 2024
Watch Chair of European Movement UK, Dr Mike Galsworthy, end the argument on Brexit in four minutes.
[Image: Shutterstock]
Is Starmer serious about economic growth? Dr Mike Galsworthy in the FT
September 17, 2024
Chair of European Movement UK, Dr Mike Galsworthy, in the FT.
Read the piece here (£).
[Image: Shutterstock]
The European Movement's Open Letter to Nick Thomas-Symonds
September 17, 2024
Dear Nick,
For over 75 years the European Movement UK has upheld the principles of cooperation and peace in Europe. We welcome your government’s stated intention to reset our relationship with the EU.
However, rapid progress is needed if our economy is to grow and if we are to restore lost opportunities to British people.
We believe leaving the EU was wrong and that, in time, the UK will return. That is what a majority of the British public - and a huge majority of British young people - now want. That is what a majority of the British public - and a huge majority of British young people - now want. That is clear from a series of recent polls. For example, the Independent found that 56% would now vote to join the EU - with a significantly higher percentage of younger people in favour.
But we do not want to rake over old conflicts.
Instead, we must look to the future, with our national interest paramount. Building a closer relationship with the rest of Europe is vital for our economy, for our cultural vitality and for our security.
We in European Movement will continue to campaign vigorously for the UK to return to the EU as a full member. But we respect other views. That debate will continue.
For now, the choices facing your government are about the immediate future. How to heal divisions – both within the UK and between the UK and the EU. How to deliver economic growth. How to invest in public services.
We urge you to take six key steps:
- Commission an independent forward-looking inquiry into options for the future UK-EU relationship. This can provide space for calmer reflection and take ideological heat out of the debate;
- Help keep food prices down by negotiating a UK-EU veterinary agreement to reduce border red tape;
- Negotiate a wide-ranging defence and security pact with the EU;
- Give our young people back life-enriching opportunities by rejoining Erasmus+ and entering negotiations with the EU on a youth mobility scheme;
- Negotiate reciprocal cultural touring visas to save British music, dance, theatre, and supporting industries;
- Prevent further unnecessary trade barriers by aligning UK goods and services regulations with EU rules, except if there is an unanswerable case otherwise.
Tinkering around the edges of hard Brexit will not deliver for the British people. We need informed, bold and clear action.
Your manifesto promised change, the European Movement asks that you work with us and others to deliver it.
Yours sincerely,
Sir Nick Harvey
On behalf of the European Movement
(Header image: Shutterstock)
UK scientists granted almost €80 million in Horizon Funding
September 10, 2024
For the first time since Brexit, 50 UK-led research projects have been granted almost €80 million in EU funding through the Horizon programme, prompting celebration not only in the UK's research community but here at European Movement UK as well!
European Movement UK, along with thousands of members and supporters, campaigned to rejoin Horizon, supporting the calls from across academia to not leave UK researchers behind. The benefits of the programme seemed to be blindingly obvious and, in addition to giving much needed support to researchers, rejoining Horizon would also set a precedent for the UK once again interacting cooperatively with EU institutions – a model that could hopefully be repeated with the likes of Erasmus+.
(Image: Shutterstock)
UK Music Touring 'Slowly Dying' in Visa Red Tape
September 04, 2024
While visas for musicians and youth mobility schemes are being used as negotiating tools between the UK and the EU, the reality is that musicians' livelihoods, and young people's futures, are at stake.
Last night, the FT reported that internal briefing documents at the European Commission stated that post-Brexit curbs on UK touring musicians will not be loosened. This will come as a bitter blow to thousands in the sector.
"Our industry is slowly dying. And I don't know what to do."
(Image: Shutterstock)
Rachel Nicholls is one of the UK's leading opera singers. Before the UK left the EU, she would do 5 to 10 jobs in Europe every year.
"I think we're now out of the equation in terms of working in Europe and, although I'm freelance and British, up until Brexit I was working more in Europe than I was here.
"Since leaving the EU, I've had one job there. One."
You can hear Rachel tell her story - alongside others affected in the industry - here. It comes as new research suggests almost 60% of UK musicians now say they can't tour in the EU.
Our campaign, Face The Music, urges the government to address the plight of musicians and other artists trying to work and tour in the EU. Labour pledged back in May, before being elected, to 'fix the European touring crisis,' by negotiating, 'an agreement on touring visas'.
Our petition can be seen here.
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, said:
"The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, cannot get something for nothing in his EU negotiations. We really need him to be more ambitious on this front and open up conversations about mobility in general, which is what the British public want to see.
“Remember, it's not just musicians, it's theatre groups, fashion photographers, dancers, comedians and British culture in all of its wonderful dimensions. Brexit has boxed them in and it's time to tear down these walls.
“To tear down walls, the government should also be prepared to discuss a youth mobility deal with the EU. Our young people need this and the UK can’t just shut down an EU ask whilst expecting the EU to give the UK what we want. That’s not the way negotiations work.”
At a glance:
- 75% of musicians in a recent survey by the Musicians' Union said that their EU touring bookings had declined.
- The music sector of the UK creative industry accounts for over £10bn in revenue. Curtailing freedom of movement for our musicians has been devastating.
- 59% of musicians said that touring the EU was no longer financially viable. Visa waivers and musician passports were offered in the original Brexit agreement by the EU but rejected by the Conservative Government.
Hand-in-hand with the music sector, we will continue to campaign for the UK Government to Face the Music and find a solution to the issues facing musicians who want and need to tour Europe after Brexit.